The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia - Mikheil Chkhenkeli participated in the Artem Erkomaishvili Prize awarding ceremony. The Minister addressed the audience and emphasized the importance of studying and popularizing Georgian polyphony and canticles among the younger generation.

“Nowhere does our character fully appear as in Georgian polyphony. Our canticles and polyphonic singing are truly the gems of our cultural heritage. I would like to thank His Holiness, the Patriarch of Georgia and the founder of the Georgian Canticle Fund - Mr. Vano Chkhartishvili and his family for their special contribution to the revival of the Georgian hymns and the further development of this field.

It is also noteworthy that many countries around the world have been introduced to Georgian culture through our unique polyphony. It is important to give our polyphony and hymns to future generations” stated Mikheil Chkhenkeli in his speech.

With the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, since 2016, the Georgian Chant Foundation has been awarding the Artem Erkomaishvili Prize annually to scientists for their outstanding researches and findings, as well as endowing the very best church choirs performing traditional Georgian hymns.

This year, the prize was awarded to the Bichvinta Virgin Mary Church choir "Ialoni", Rustavi King Vakhtang Gorgasali Cathedral choir, Kvirike and Ivlita church vocal trio "rekheuli" and Kutaisi Auto St. George Cathedral choir team.

The Georgian Chant Foundation was founded in 2012 and aims to support Georgian chanting, songwriting and other fields of traditional art, whilst promoting the scientific research and findings.